Workers’ Compensation Claims for Bone Fractures

Why Do You Need a Workers’ Compensation Specialist for Your Bone Fracture?

Hiring a bone fracture lawyer can make all the difference in your workers’ compensation claim. Insurance companies often try to minimize injuries or deny benefits altogether, leaving you without the money you need for medical bills and other expenses. An experienced workers’ compensation lawyer can protect your rights and manage the legal aspects of your case so you can focus on healing.

Should you choose our firm, we’ll gather medical evidence to support your claim, calculate your benefits accurately, and pursue payment for your lost wages and necessary treatments. If your employer or their insurance company disputes your claim, we are prepared to represent you in hearings and appeals to fight for what you deserve. Our team will work to secure benefits that cover not only your immediate needs but also any ongoing medical care or reduced earning capacity. With our guidance, you won’t face this process alone.

When Workers’ Compensation Will Cover a Fracture

Workers’ compensation covers bone fractures that occur as a direct result of work-related activities or conditions. This includes injuries from workplace accidents like slipping and falling, being struck by heavy objects, or equipment malfunctions.

Additionally, workers’ comp covers bone fractures that occur outside the workplace during work-related activities. For example, if you are driving as part of your job – such as making deliveries, traveling between job sites, or attending a work meeting – and are involved in a car accident that causes a fracture, workers’ compensation would likely cover it. Similarly, if you are injured while running errands for your employer, such as picking up supplies, your injury would likely be covered under workers’ comp. However, workers’ compensation does not usually cover injuries that occur during your regular commute to and from work; however, some exceptions may apply to the “coming and going rule” such as if your employer provides you with transportation.

Workers’ compensation may also cover bone fractures caused by repetitive stress or overuse, though these claims can be more challenging to prove. For example, stress fractures in the feet or hands might result from prolonged repetitive motion or standing for long periods. Regardless of how the fracture occurred, you must demonstrate that the injury arose while you were performing your job duties.

How Workers’ Comp Benefits Can Help with Your Bone Fractures

Workers’ compensation provides several benefits that can help you recover after a work-related bone fracture, including:

Medical benefits – Workers’ compensation covers all reasonable and necessary medical expenses related to your fracture. This includes doctor visits, diagnostic tests, surgery, physical therapy, medications, and any required medical equipment, such as crutches or casts.
Disability benefits – If your fracture prevents you from working while you recover, you can receive disability benefits. These provide two-thirds of your average weekly wage, up to the state’s maximum limit, for the time you can’t work. You may also qualify for benefits to make up the difference in your earnings if your injury requires you to work in a reduced capacity or for fewer hours. If your fracture results in a permanent disability, you may be owed further benefits depending on the extent of your injury.

Your workers’ comp attorney can help determine what types of benefits you are owed and for how long.

How to File a Workers’ Comp Claim for Fractures

Filing a workers’ compensation claim for a bone fracture requires careful attention to deadlines and procedures. Following these steps will help protect your right to benefits:

Report your broken bone injury. To protect your benefits, notify your employer about the fracture immediately and no later than 30 days after the injury. The law requires this notice to be in writing; however, there are exceptions that apply.
Seek medical attention. Visit an approved medical provider for treatment. Inform the doctor that your injury occurred at work so your medical records clearly link the fracture to your job.
Document your injury. Keep detailed records, including medical reports, accident details, and any communication with your employer. This documentation is crucial for supporting your claim.
File a claim with the North Carolina Industrial Commission (NCIC). Submit Form 18, the “Notice of Accident to Employer and Claim of Employee,” to the NCIC. You must do this within two years of your injury to preserve your right to benefits.
Follow treatment plans. Adhere to your doctor’s recommendations and attend all appointments. Failure to comply could harm your claim and reduce your workers’ compensation benefits.
Consult a broken bone lawyer. If your employer denies or delays your claim, contact a workers’ compensation attorney immediately. Your lawyer can guide you through appeals or disputes to claim the benefits you qualify for.

Accidents that Cause Fractured Bones at Work

Some common work-related accidents that cause bone fractures include:

Slips and falls on wet or uneven surfaces
Falling from heights, such as ladders, scaffolding, or rooftops
Being struck by falling objects, like tools or building materials
Motor vehicle accidents during work-related tasks, such as deliveries
Machinery accidents involving heavy equipment or tools
Collisions involving forklifts or other workplace vehicles
Crushing injuries from collapsing structures or materials

Get in Touch with Our Workers’ Compensation Specialists Today

Our workers’ compensation lawyers have decades of practical legal experience we can apply to your case. We’ve recovered millions of dollars for injured workers throughout North Carolina and aren’t afraid to stand up to stingy employers or insurance companies. Our lawyers, David E. Vtipil and Chip Younce, are Board Certified Specialists in Workers’ Compensation Law. Mr. Vtipil has also been named among the nation’s Top 100 Injured Workers’ Attorneys and has been selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America in the field of Workers’ Compensation Law.

If you still aren’t sure, here’s what one satisfied client said about their experience with us:

“Mr. Baznik handled my workers compensation case and stayed well ahead of it. Always keeping me informed and going the extra mile for my needs. I’m so glad I chose to call Joe Baznik and will use his team again if I ever need an attorney” – Jon Connell

Don’t wait to talk to our workers’ compensation attorneys about your case. Call Younce, Vtipil, Baznik & Banks, P.A. now or reach out online for a free consultation.

Workers’ Compensation Claims for Bone Fractures in North Carolina